Brown Sugar Candied Yams [Video]

Brown Sugar Candied Yams are roasted in a butter-brown sugar sauce flavored with fresh orange, autumn spices, and fragrant rosemary. No Thanksgiving feast is complete without this side dish!

No matter the season, everyone looks forward to a healthy and delicious dessert. Finish your holiday meal on a sweeter note with these Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes, Pecan Pie Bars, and Pumpkin Cheesecake, all creative twists on classic desserts!

Baked Candied Yams

Brown Sugar Candied Yams are old-school soul food, and we have the South to thanks for this terrific dish. It’s never absent from my Thanksgiving spread because it goes so well with savory dishes like turkey and beef roast.

It’s so delicious on its own as well. The tender yams are glazed in a buttery, caramelized, brown sugar sauce infused with herbs, spices, and orange. Glazed to perfection and absolutely addicting!

Finally, I bet you’ll love how simple it is to make. After par-boiling the sweet potatoes, you only need to make the sauce then bake until it’s done. It’s a lighter, easier alternative when you have no time to whip up a whole sweet potato casserole. I strongly suggest doubling or even tripling the recipe because these go fast!

Follow us on Pinterest for more delicious recipes!

Are yams healthy?

Yes, these humble tubers are incredibly healthy for you. Aside from being loaded with fiber, they’re also full of nutrients like manganese, potassium, and antioxidants.

Also, as part of a balanced diet, they’ve been linked to improved cholesterol levels, better brain function, decreased inflammation, prevent anemia, and boost eyesight.

In addition, they are good for the heart, skin, and blood sugar too. It’s hard to believe that something so healthy can taste as yummy as this side dish does!

Brown Sugar Candied Yams ingredients:

• Yams: buy the naturally sweet red- or orange-fleshed varieties like garnet or jewel sweet potatoes, then cut into chunks.
• Orange: we’re using both zest and fresh juice for that fruity tang.
• Rosemary: adds a warm, herby flavor to the dish.
• Brown sugar: you may use dark or light brown sugar.
• Spices: prepare the usual fall spice trio of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ground ginger.
• Butter: I use unsalted so I can control the flavor, but it’s okay to use the salted version too.

How to make Brown Sugar Candied Yams?

1. Parboil. Submerge the chunks in boiling water for around 5 to 10 mins. Avoid fully cooking them. You should be able to pierce them with a fork, but still a bit raw in the middle.
2. Reduce the syrup. Next, take all remaining ingredients then boil in a skillet until reduced.
3. Bake. Roast on high until cooked through and tender and the sauce has turned into a syrupy glaze.
4. Serve. Best to enjoy them hot, topped with rosemary and orange zest for presentation.

Why are my candied yams runny?

A common reason is that you didn’t allow the sugar sauce to reduce enough on the skillet before pouring on the sweet potatoes and baking. In addition, the boiled yams will still release moisture while baking, and this can contribute to runniness too.

Here are a couple of fixes:

• Instead of regular butter, use ghee aka clarified butter because it has less moisture content.
• Take a few more minutes to reduce the sugar glaze on the pan before pouring it onto the casserole. Whisk constantly to avoid burning the sweet sauce.

What to serve with Yams?

This side dish will complement almost everything on your holiday menu. Serve it with entrees like turkey, roasted chicken, slow cooker corned beef, bacon pork loin. Don’t forget the cranberry sauce on the side!

More easy side dish recipes:

• Southern Cornbread Dressing
• Cheesy Baked Green Beans
• Crack Mashed Potatoes
• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• Fondant Potatoes
• Mac and Cheese Casserole

How to store Brown Sugar Candied Yams?

Cool all leftovers thoroughly. Then, transfer to an air-tight container and ensure it is covered. They will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for as long as two months.

To reheat them, use a microwave, and reheat for a few minutes until hot. You can also use the oven, and bake them on low heat until heated all the way through.

Recipe Tips:

• Switch up the flavors by using other spices like nutmeg, adding a splash of cranberry juice, or a bit of pure vanilla extract.
• Don’t fully cook the yams when boiling because it will become mushy after continuing to cook in the oven.
• Mix a little molasses into granulated sugar for a quick substitute if you don’t have brown on hand.
• Instead of baking, you can also grill them and just pour the thick syrup on top.
• You can make this ahead by parboiling, making the syrup, and keeping in sealed containers in the fridge. Finish baking on the day you’re planning to serve it.